If you’re thinking about selling your home, one of your biggest questions may be: How long does it take to sell a house with a real estate agent?
The answer depends on your local market, the condition of your property, your asking price, buyer demand, and how long it takes the buyer to complete financing and closing.
Selling with a real estate agent can be a good option for homeowners who want to expose their property to a large number of buyers and have time to go through the traditional selling process. But if you’re thinking, “I need to sell my house fast,” it’s important to understand that selling with an agent involves more than simply putting a For Sale sign in the yard.
Let’s look at the typical process and some alternatives available to Texas homeowners.
How Long Does It Usually Take to Sell a House?
There isn’t one timeline that applies to every property.
A traditional home sale generally involves several stages:
- Preparing the house for sale
- Choosing a real estate agent
- Determining the asking price
- Taking photos and listing the property
- Marketing and showing the house
- Receiving and negotiating offers
- Completing inspections
- Completing the appraisal
- Waiting for buyer financing
- Closing the transaction
Even if your house receives an offer quickly, the sale isn’t finished until you reach the closing table.
Depending on your situation, the entire process can take several weeks to several months.
Step 1: Preparing Your House for Sale
Before your house is listed, your agent may recommend getting it ready for potential buyers.
Depending on the property, this could include:
- Cleaning and decluttering
- Removing personal belongings
- Painting
- Landscaping
- Repairing damaged items
- Replacing outdated fixtures
- Making cosmetic improvements
- Staging the property
- Taking professional photographs
A house that’s already in excellent condition may only require a few days of preparation.
However, a property that needs significant repairs or remodeling could take several weeks—or longer—to prepare for the market.
If you’re trying to sell a house that needs repairs, this preparation period can add considerable time and expense before your property is even listed.
Step 2: Listing and Marketing the Property
Once the house is ready, your real estate agent can list and market it to potential buyers.
How quickly you receive an offer will depend heavily on factors such as:
- Your asking price
- Property condition
- Location
- Number of competing homes
- Local buyer demand
- Interest rates
- Time of year
- Marketing and presentation
Some houses receive offers within days.
Others can remain on the market for weeks or months.
There is no guarantee that listing your property with an agent will result in an immediate offer.
Step 3: Receiving and Negotiating an Offer
Getting an offer doesn’t necessarily mean the house is sold.
You and the buyer may negotiate several terms, including:
- Purchase price
- Closing date
- Seller concessions
- Earnest money
- Financing contingencies
- Inspection periods
- Repairs
- Personal property included with the sale
Negotiations can sometimes be completed quickly, but they can also go back and forth for several days.
Once both parties agree to the terms and sign the contract, the property typically moves into the next stage.
Step 4: The Home Inspection
Many traditional buyers have a professional home inspection performed after going under contract.
The inspector may identify problems with the property’s:
- Foundation
- Roof
- Electrical system
- Plumbing
- HVAC system
- Windows and doors
- Appliances
- Exterior
- Attic
- Drainage
- Other components
Depending on the contract and circumstances, inspection findings can lead to additional negotiations.
The buyer may request repairs, ask for a credit, attempt to renegotiate the purchase price, or exercise contractual rights that may allow them to terminate.
This can potentially add more time and uncertainty to the sale.
Step 5: The Appraisal
If the buyer is financing the purchase, the lender may require an appraisal.
The appraisal helps the lender determine the property’s value for lending purposes.
If the property appraises at or above the agreed purchase price, the transaction can generally continue through the financing process.
But if the appraisal comes in lower than expected, the parties may need to determine how to address the difference.
Depending on the contract, that could involve renegotiating the price, the buyer contributing additional money, challenging the appraisal, or potentially ending the transaction.
Step 6: Waiting for the Buyer’s Financing
Financing is another reason a traditional home sale can take time.
The buyer’s lender may need to verify income, employment, assets, credit, insurance, appraisal information, title information, and other documentation before approving the mortgage.
Even after you accept an offer, it can take several weeks for a financed transaction to reach closing.
Unexpected financing problems can create delays, and in some circumstances, the transaction may not close.
How Long Does Closing Take After Accepting an Offer?
For a financed buyer, the period between accepting the offer and closing commonly takes several weeks.
During this period, the buyer and lender are completing inspections, appraisal requirements, underwriting, title work, and other closing requirements.
Cash transactions can often eliminate some of the financing-related steps, which may allow for a quicker closing depending on the circumstances.
Why Does It Take Some Houses Longer to Sell?
Some properties naturally take longer to sell than others.
Common reasons include:
The House Is Priced Too High
If buyers believe the asking price is too high compared with similar properties, they may simply choose another home.
The Property Needs Major Repairs
Traditional buyers may be hesitant to purchase a house that needs expensive repairs, especially if the property creates financing or insurance concerns.
There Are Too Many Homes for Sale
When buyers have many properties to choose from, sellers may face more competition.
Buyer Financing Falls Through
Even after accepting an offer, financing issues can prevent a transaction from reaching closing.
Inspection Problems
Major problems discovered during an inspection can lead to additional negotiations or cause a buyer to reconsider the purchase.
What If I Can’t Wait Months to Sell My House?
Not every homeowner has the luxury of waiting several months for a traditional sale.
You may need to sell quickly because you’re:
- Relocating for work
- Facing foreclosure
- Going through a divorce
- Selling an inherited property
- Dealing with an unwanted rental
- Tired of problem tenants
- Behind on property taxes
- Managing a vacant house
- Facing expensive repairs
- Moving out of state
- Dealing with financial difficulties
- Simply ready to move on from the property
If speed and convenience are more important to you than going through the traditional listing process, selling directly to a cash home buyer may be another option.
Can I Sell My House Without a Real Estate Agent?
Yes.
Homeowners aren’t required to use a real estate agent for every home sale.
One alternative is selling directly to a cash home buyer such as Sellers Home Buyers.
A direct sale can eliminate several parts of the traditional process.
Depending on the property and transaction, you may be able to avoid:
- Preparing the house for showings
- Making major repairs
- Staging the property
- Hosting repeated showings
- Waiting for a traditional buyer
- Buyer mortgage approval
- Lender-required appraisal issues
This can make a direct sale attractive to homeowners whose priority is getting the property sold with fewer steps.
Can I Sell My House As-Is?
Yes. Selling your property as-is means offering it in its current condition rather than making repairs or renovations simply to prepare it for sale.
At Sellers Home Buyers, we buy houses in virtually any condition.
That includes properties with:
- Foundation problems
- Roof damage
- Plumbing issues
- Electrical problems
- Old HVAC systems
- Water damage
- Outdated kitchens and bathrooms
- Damaged flooring
- Deferred maintenance
- Unwanted belongings
- Major cosmetic issues
You don’t have to remodel your house just to find out whether we’re interested in buying it.
Selling With an Agent vs. Selling to a Cash Home Buyer
The best selling method depends on your priorities.
If your property is in good condition and you have plenty of time, listing with an agent can provide broad exposure to traditional buyers and may give you an opportunity to pursue a higher retail selling price.
If your house needs repairs or you prioritize speed and convenience, a direct cash sale may be worth comparing.
Don’t compare the offers based only on the purchase price.
Consider your potential net proceeds, along with the time, repairs, carrying costs, commissions, concessions, and other expenses associated with each option.
How Fast Can Sellers Home Buyers Buy My House?
Every property and transaction is different, so closing timelines can vary.
However, because Sellers Home Buyers purchases properties directly, you don’t have to wait for us to list your property and find another buyer.
We’ll review information about your property and determine whether we can make you a cash offer.
If you accept the offer, we can work with you to determine an appropriate closing timeline.
We Buy Houses Throughout Texas
Sellers Home Buyers helps homeowners throughout Texas who want an alternative to the traditional home-selling process.
We buy properties in major Texas markets and surrounding communities, including:
Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Tyler, Temple, and other areas throughout Texas.
Whether your property is move-in ready, outdated, inherited, vacant, occupied, or in need of significant repairs, we’d like to hear about it.
Need to Sell Your House Fast in Texas?
Selling with a real estate agent can work well for many homeowners, but it isn’t always the fastest or simplest solution.
If you’re thinking:
“I need to sell my house fast in Texas.”
“I don’t want to make repairs.”
“I want to sell my house as-is.”
“I don’t want to wait months for my house to sell.”
Sellers Home Buyers may be able to help.
Contact Sellers Home Buyers today to request a no-obligation cash offer for your Texas property.
Compare your options and decide which selling method makes the most sense for your situation.
Sellers Home Buyers — A Simple Way to Sell Your Texas House As-Is.